Shannon In The Morning Big Show Daily Podcast

August 7th, 2000 - A young Aussie lad named Brad is on the radio for the first time when he walks in off the street to meet Scott Shannon at WPLJ, wanting to be the show's Sydney Olympics correspondent.

At the time he was an unemployed accountant living next to the beach volleyball courts at Bondi Beach.

His name at the time was Brad Ennals, and it’s 20 years ago he made his radio debut.

We say "cheers" to you Brad on all your success!

Listen as we talk about his very nervous first day on air and even play back some of that exchange!

Please join Patty Steele & me as we host a big celebration For Blythedale Children’s Hospital TODAY, August 4th from 5:30 To 6:30pm.

John Elliott will join us along with other special guests from past Blythedale concerts and events. 

You can watch the event for absolutely free at https://blythedale.onlinegalas.com and you can always text “Blythedale” To 7 6 2 7 8 to donate anytime.

If you want to know why my connection to Blythedale is so strong and why it has lasted so many years, listen to the story above, explaining how it all happened.

"Feelin' Alright" is Dave Mason's most iconic and most heavily covered songs since its release in 1968 as a 22 year old in the band Traffic.

50 different acts have given their take on the song, including Joe Cocker, The Jackson Five, Lou Rawls, John Belushi, Three Dog Night and so many more!

Now the rock & roll hall of famer has assembled an all-star lineup he calls Dave Mason & the Quarantines and they've created what might be the best version of the song to date!

Dave called the big show to talk about the song, which features him singing along with Mick Fleetwood, Sammy Hagar, Michael McDonald, and The Doobie Brothers: John McFee, Tom Johnston, John Cowan, and Pat Simmons. Dave's longtime drummer, Alvino Bennett, also lends a hand as does Pat Simmons Jr., Pat's son.

"I managed to pull some friends together" Dave says, "If it weren't for the quandary we al find ourselves in it probably wouldn't have happened"

Dave says the response from everyone was overwhelming, with the consensus being "what else are we doing, we are locked away!"

See the video for “Feelin Alright” by Dave Mason & the Quarantines at www.DaveMasonMusic.com  

Joey Fatone helped sell over 70 million records as a member of *NSYNC & all these years later he’s carved out a successful game show hosting career!

The Brooklyn native checked in to talk about Game Show Network’s popular show “Common Knowledge,” which begins of a four-week syndicated trial run in New York August 3rd at 11:30am on MY 9!

“Common Knowledge” also runs weekdays at 10am & 5:30pm on The Game Show Network.

COMMON KNOWLEDGE asks practical, everyday multiple-choice questions that everyone should know in three rounds of play with the winning team going on to the bonus round to play for $10,000.

Fatone has also appeared in countless television shows and movies including “Dancing with the Stars,” and “My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” as well as serving as the announcer for “Family Feud” from 2010-2015 (and yes, we had to ask him to do his intro for Steve Harvey, and he did!).

“Common Knowledge,” premiered on Game Show Network on January 14, 2019 and is one of the network’s most popular game shows.

Brad Blanks zoomed with Jerry O’Connell while he was camping with his family at Yosemite!

Jerry’s promoting the hope-filled film "The Secret: Dare to Dream" which hits Premium Video on Demand July 31st.

The feel-good romantic drama also stars Katie Holmes and Josh Lucas, and explores hope and gratitude in one’s darkest days, and reminds us that it’s never too late to believe again.

“I hate to say it but I’m kinda holding her (Katie Holmes) back!” Jerry says about his character. “I can’t always play the hero.”

Based on the groundbreaking best-selling book about the law of attraction by Rhonda Byrne, The Secret: Dare to Dream. With its timeless messages of hope, compassion, and gratitude, The Secret: Dare to Dream is an inspiring and heartwarming film that shows how positive thoughts can transform our lives.

Staten Island’s own Julia Gargano has been hard at work on a new EP after making it to the top 7 (and the final night) of American Idol back in June!

“If this is what I’m gonna do the rest of my life I’m gonna be very happy” she proudly tells us.

Julia has been holed up at the communications center at the College of Saint Rose in Albany recording tracks for her upcoming EP. The college gave her permission to use the studios with a small group of her former classmates.

When asked if she had a release date for the EP she says she’s taking her time.

“I’ve been writing every day…I don’t wanna cut all the edges” she says, “I’m working in the studio 5 days a week.”

Julia will also be part of the St. George Theater’s “Let’s Hang On” virtual telethon Sunday night, August 2nd at 7PM along with Frankie Valli, Colin Jost, Pete Davidson, Vic DiBittetto, Paul Anka, Joe Causi & many more!

“I’m so happy to be part of this roster” Julia says, “there’s just some great local representation!”

The St. George Theater will be closed until at least February due to pandemic, so this telethon is necessary to help raise funds to keep the organization afloat.

You can RSVP at https://TELETHON.STGEORGETHEATRE.COM to stream it live!

Julia has fond memories of the theater, telling us she’s performed piano in the background many times on stage and cannot wait to be back one day in front of the stage!

TV legend Regis Philbin died of natural causes July 24th at the age of 88, leaving behind a legacy full of memorable small screen moment and great stories!

Scott & Ross Brittain were guests on 'The Regis Philbin Show' back in 1984, talking about the success of the Z Morning Zoo. Regis had been a frequent guest on the Zoo and vise versa, so all parties involved had no problem poking fun at each other!

Watch the whole clip of one funny segment here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=At5rQkahEH0

Dr. Oz called in this morning to share memories of Regis, saying he got to know him when he was on 'The Dr. Oz Show' to talk about heart surgery.

"He had a unique ability to put A smile on all our faces" Dr. Oz remembers although he was faced with his mortality after his procedure.

They also went out to dinner and Dr. Oz was expecting to see a different side of Regis, but didn't.

"When the light was on and you were taping and when the light was off, you couldn't tell the difference...it was the same person" Dr. Oz fondly says of Regis, noting he always had the outgoing, caring & fun personality you saw on TV every day.

Brad Blanks had the pleasure of interviewing Regis on the red carpet a handful of times, getting advice from Regis at a Victoria's Secret fashion show (and Brad not knowing who he was), to interviews later on talking about Slumdog Millionaire and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, plus another interview all about America's Got Talent.

(Photo: Youtube Screen Capture)

Big show game show expert Jason Block gained unexpected fame in January of 2000 when he won $125,000 on ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?’

Now he’s remembering the man who sat across from him during one of the biggest moments of his life.

“This guy was so beautiful” Jason says of Regis, “A real, genuine human being who will be sorely missed.”

Jason called the “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” 800-hotline and answered three questions correctly within 10 seconds to get on the show. He was eventually chosen for a taping & Regis called him down to the podium 30 or 40 minutes into the taping.

After winning $125,000, he was invited on the Rosie O'Donnell show!

“If ‘Millionaire was not successful” Jason says, “we would not have this game show revival over the past 25 years.”

And for that, he (and all of us) will be forever thankful for Regis Philbin.

(Photo: Youtube Screen Capture)

Sylwia Wiesenberg is the founder of Bawdy Beauty products - they can be found at www.bawdybeauty.com or at SEPHORA where she has a partnership and is the brains behind the… BUTT MASK.

Like a cleansing face mask, this sheet mask goes on the butt to replenish and rejuvenate the skin.

Brad Blanks zoomed with Sylwia to understand why there is so much attention on the bottom and how the mask works.

Who would of thought Brad Blanks would be doing beauty segments?????

A born and bred New Yorker, Peter Cincotti began playing piano at age three. He spent much of his childhood going to school during the day and playing clubs at night, which led to him being an international jazz sensation!

He's performing at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Radio City Music Hall, Paris’ L’Olympia & London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall.

(You may also remember peter Peter from his acting debut in the Bobby Darin biopic film “Beyond The Sea”)

Peter checked in to talk to the big show about growing up in New York City, playing clubs while in high school and his new song "Heart of the City,” which he calls a love letter to New York City during the height of the COVID 19 pandemic.

The video for "Heart of the City" is an interactive affair with fans who submitted their photos and videos of New York and their “hearts” for the city.

Peter also talked about a live show he hosts on Instagram and Facebook called ‘That Friday Feeling With Peter’ where he talks with fans, makes drinks, and plays some songs, every Friday night at 6pm. You can access his Facebook page here: www.facebook.com/PeterCincotti/

Peter says he is also putting the finishing touches on an album that will be released this fall entitled “88 Keys & Me.”

Find our more about Peter & his music and see the video for 'Heart of the City' at his website: www.petercincotti.com

Photo Credit: Amy Rapp